holidaymaker: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B1Neutral to informal. Primarily journalistic and everyday.
Quick answer
What does “holidaymaker” mean?
A person who is on holiday away from home.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A person who is on holiday away from home.
A tourist, someone traveling for pleasure or leisure.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Predominantly a British English term. The direct American English equivalent is 'tourist' or 'vacationer'.
Connotations
In British English, neutral to slightly descriptive of a group. In American English, the term is rarely used and may sound distinctly British.
Frequency
Very common in UK media and everyday speech. Rare to the point of being marked in American English.
Grammar
How to Use “holidaymaker” in a Sentence
The [ADJ] holidaymakers [VERB]...An influx of holidaymakersHolidaymakers in [PLACE]Vocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used in tourism industry reports, travel agency contexts, and hospitality marketing (primarily UK).
Academic
Rare in formal academic writing; 'tourist' is preferred for scholarly analysis.
Everyday
Common in UK conversation and news reports about travel, weather, and seasonal events.
Technical
Not a technical term.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “holidaymaker”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “holidaymaker”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “holidaymaker”
- Using it in American English contexts.
- Spelling as two separate words ('holiday maker').
- Using it as a verb (e.g., 'We holidaymade in Spain').
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is a distinctly British English term. Americans use 'tourist' or 'vacationer'.
No, the term specifically refers to people traveling for leisure and holiday purposes.
In British English, it is most commonly spelled as one word: 'holidaymaker'. The hyphenated form 'holiday-maker' is less common but acceptable.
Not inherently. It is neutral but can be used in negative contexts (e.g., 'noisy holidaymakers') just like 'tourist' can.
A person who is on holiday away from home.
Holidaymaker is usually neutral to informal. primarily journalistic and everyday. in register.
Holidaymaker: in British English it is pronounced /ˈhɒlɪdeɪˌmeɪkə(r)/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈhɑːlədeɪˌmeɪkər/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[No common idioms specific to the word]”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of someone who MAKES or TAKES a HOLIDAY: a holiday-maker.
Conceptual Metaphor
HOLIDAYMAKERS ARE A FLOW/RESOURCE (e.g., 'an influx of holidaymakers', 'holidaymakers boost the economy').
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following is the most accurate synonym for 'holidaymaker' in American English?